DoM's Dr. Perry Grewal co-authors a new dermatology chapter in Canada’s authoritative pharmacy reference book
20 March 2025
By Adrianna MacPherson, Folio
New chapter in pharmacy reference book seeks to diversify dermatology
Patients with skin of colour are often misdiagnosed or experience delays in treatment. Two U of A professors are looking to change that.
A new addition to Canada’s authoritative pharmacy resource aims to give pharmacists the knowledge they need to better diagnose and treat dermatological conditions for people of colour.
There’s a critical lack of diversity in education and literature on dermatological conditions, explains , clinical associate professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
“There’s data showcasing that those with different skin tones, because they are not being diagnosed accurately or face delays in diagnosis, are actually having increased morbidity or impact from their disease.”
Sanghera and , a clinical professor from the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, are looking to change that.
To address the knowledge gap and give health-care professionals the information they need to treat all patients effectively, Sanghera and Grewal are co-authors of “Dermatological Considerations in Skin of Colour,” a new chapter in the , the main reference used by pharmacists across the country.
The new chapter includes information on how common dermatological conditions may present or be managed differently in skin of colour. As a visual aid, it also features a more diverse range of photos depicting these conditions on various skin tones, as well as links to other helpful resources and databases with additional information.
“We weren’t having these conversations visibly in how we talked about therapeutics and treatment and assessment, especially when it came to racialized groups,” says Sanghera. “So this is a first of its kind.”